Requirements & Courses

Thirty-six credits which must include:

1. Core Courses (28 cr): CHM-115, 223, 224, 230, 320, 331, and 332

2. An Area of Concentration:

• Chemistry: eight credits from CHM-251, 300 or 400 level courses, BCM-321 or 422. At least four credits must be at or above the 300 level.

• American Chemical Society Certified Degree: CHM-313 and 314; BCM-321; and four credits chosen from CHM-399, 411, 499, or BCM-422.

• Pre-Medicine: BCM-321 and four credits from 300 or 400 level courses in Chemistry; The American Chemical Society Certified Degree is also available with the pre-medicine concentration.

3.  Successful completion of CHM-450

Potential majors are advised to schedule MTH-121 and 122 and PHY-121 and 122 (or PHY-112 and 113) in the freshman and sophomore years so they may enroll in CHM-331 and 332 in the junior year. Completion of an independent research project normally culminating in a senior thesis is recommended. Students bound for graduate school should make careful course selections to support their particular area of emphasis; participation in research, completion of CHM-313, 314 and 411, MTH-210 and 211 should be considered. Experience with calculus based physics (PHY- 121 and 122) is preferred over PHY-112 and 113.
Students bound for medical school should elect CHM-115 in the fall of the freshman year so that BCM-321 can be completed in advance of taking the MCAT at the end of the Junior year (CHM-115, 223, 224, 230 and BIO-121 are prerequisites to BCM-321). To be a competitive medical school applicant, the Chemistry Department strongly recommends students completing a Chemistry major also take genetics and physiology, in addition to considering upper level electives from Biology, Biochemistry or Integrated Physiology and Health Science.

Students may achieve honors in the Chemistry Department by:

1. Having a 3.5 GPA in all chemistry classes.

2. Performing at a superior level in departmental Senior Seminar.

3. Preparing and presenting a senior thesis of honors caliber. See the Department chair for details on how to fulfill the thesis requirements.

Twenty-four credits which must include: Eight credits numbered 300 or above (BCM-321 and 422 may also be applied toward this minor)

Completion of the requirements for the Chemistry major.

Twenty-four credits which must include:

1. CHM-115, 223, 224, 230 and BCM-321

2. Four credits from CHM-320, 331 or 332

Completion of CHM-115, 223, 224, 230, 313, 314, 320, 331, 332, 450, BCM-321 and four credits chosen from CHM-399, 411, 499, or BCM-422. Completion of a minimum of 400 hours of laboratory work must be included. Students must consult with the Chemistry chair in their junior year for approval of their program.